A new survey has revealed that many American Jews are sharply critical of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, with 61 percent saying Israel has committed war crimes and four in ten calling its actions genocide. The findings point to what analysts describe as a historic rift in the long-standing bond between US Jewry and Israel, which for decades remained close despite political disagreements.
The poll also showed widespread disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with 68 percent giving him a negative rating and nearly half labeling his performance as poor. That marks a 20-point increase in disapproval compared to five years ago, reflecting growing anger over his handling of the conflict. At the same time, however, 94 percent of American Jews surveyed expressed strong disapproval of Hamas’s attacks and conduct during the war.
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The Jewish community in the United States remains deeply divided over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. According to the survey, 46 percent support the campaign while 48 percent oppose it, highlighting polarization within the community itself. Among the broader US public, support was even lower, standing at only 32 percent. Many respondents argued that Israel initially had little choice but now the scale of human suffering makes its actions impossible to justify.
Despite the criticism, most US Jews continue to view Israel as central to Jewish identity, with 76 percent calling its existence essential for the Jewish future. About 58 percent reported feeling a cultural or emotional connection to Israeli Jews. However, the generational gap was stark: only 36 percent of Jews aged 18 to 34 expressed an emotional tie, compared to over half of older respondents, and younger Jews were far more likely to describe Israel’s actions as genocide.
Political polarization was also evident, as 80 percent of Jewish Republicans supported Israel’s Gaza campaign compared with half of independents and just one-third of Democrats. Gender and education differences further shaped views, with men more supportive than women and highly educated respondents less inclined to back Israel. Senior Democratic leaders have increasingly voiced opposition, with most Senate Democrats recently attempting to block an arms sale to Israel, though the move failed due to Republican resistance.
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Nevertheless, around 60 percent of Jews still favored continued US military aid to Israel despite their criticism of its conduct in Gaza. When asked about overall US support, 47 percent said it was appropriate, 32 percent called it excessive, and 20 percent believed it insufficient. Analysts say these findings underscore both the enduring importance of Israel to American Jewish identity and the deep fractures over how Israel’s government has chosen to wage the war.